And the easiest way to ensure that happens is to have food in the house. Which means I have to venture to the store at least once a week, and bring things home.
*sigh*
It's really not the funnest of tasks.
I don't mind it, but I do have certain windows of time throughout the day that I will go (and plenty of times during the day that I will not go). First thing in the morning? Perfect. At 8 in the morning? Not a chance. Literally, a difference of just an hour can ruin a trip.
Aside from planning when I go to the store, I try and plan exactly what I'm going to buy at the store.
A perfectly procured grocery list is a thing of beauty.
Even more so since I've complicated things for myself.
You see, I used to shop at only one store. But then I figured I would diversify and try and save a few extra dollars here and there - while still trying to balance the rewards programs from the different stores.
It can get to be a lot of work (and as such, the past three weeks or so, I've been skipping this bit!).
A perfect grocery trip involves two different stores. And two lists.
Also, a price list for each store, as well as added onto each grocery list as I'm doing the shopping for things not on the list, or things on sale.
Or am I the only one who keeps track of prices? Not only an amount, but sale dates as well. Not in a crazy "I have a shopping binder and a coupon binder" kind of way.
Because "couponing" can't be done here. None of the stores double coupons. None of them allow use of store coupons and manufacture coupons. You can do a coupon on a sale price, and that's as good as it's gonna get.
So to actually save money takes a lot more work!
But, one thing that's worth remembering is the different rewards programs for the various stores in your area. This is how I manage to save money, in multiple ways.
For example, where I used to shop all the time was Fred Meyer. Which is nice enough, but a bit more money. However, they have two rewards programs. The first gives you gas points (to get increments of 10 cents off per gallon of gas) on a monthly basis. And the other is on a quarterly basis, but gives you coupons, and a voucher for an actual amount of money.
The second store I've added, though, is Wal-Mart, who does not have a rewards program. But they do have the Savings Catcher app. Shop at Wal-Mart, then scan your receipt into the app, and it will check all local ads for a cheaper price for you. And then it gives you the difference. Not even joking, I've already gotten about 12$ back, and that's over the course of a month. Granted, it only gives the difference to you in a gift card, but it's still awesome!
Target has the Red Card and the Cartwheel app. Cartwheel is okay, but it's a pain to search for what's on sale currently. What I end up doing is using the app to scan products I want to buy and see if they are on sale. Considering I only go to Target for a few things (that aren't groceries), I'm not expecting to save much there. Their Red Cards, though, give you a percentage off each purchase, no matter what, but as I don't shop there often, it's not worth it to me.
Safeway has a fuel program, similar to Fred Meyer's, but their prices are so expensive! Also, you need their member card to get the sale prices.
Albertson's is the only one without any perks (that I'm aware of), other than getting specific sale prices if you use their member card.
...these are just the different stores I frequent.
That's not including the TONS of other stores in the area, each with their own weird set of rules.
And I'm sure there's even more details to these different programs that I'm missing.
The beauty of it, though, is that with each different program, you can shape how you save.
As I'm shopping at Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer, I'm saving money, getting money back, saving on gas, and getting even more money back.
If that's not awesome, I don't know what is. And that's not even including coupons!
Now, here's where I struggle. I know there has to be a way to save more. I just haven't figured it out yet. And just not buying groceries isn't an option!
What do you do to get the most bang for your buck at the grocers?
~Havok
I don't go grocery shopping that often--usually it's my father who goes, lol. But when I do, I'm not as organized as I would want to be that I would write a list--I don't know, my parents never did it, so I never feel a need to do it, ha ha. Though I guess it has its own set of problems--involving calling my mother and asking her if we need any onions or baking soda, haha.
ReplyDeleteI usually frequent Stop&Shop, ShopRite, and Sam's Club, but that's about it--but, we are always on top of the coupons that come in the mail! :)
I wish I didn't have to do the groceries all the time! But, such is life. It really does help making a list - even just that little step is so important for a successful trip for me. I've went to the store for one thing, then remembered three things while I was there that we did need, and got home only to realize I had forgotten the actual thing I had went in for! Which was more important than the three things I had picked up anyway!
DeleteI love the in the mail coupons. They're the easiest to deal with! And with Fred Meyer, the coupons they send you are about 80% tailored to your shopping habits in the first place, so it's that much easier to use them!
Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments! :)